We evaluated the effect of periodic oral health check-ups of 3,461 workers who were examined at least one time during the period 1993 to 2005. The subjects were placed in one of six groups according to their number of visits: 1, 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9 or more times. The subject's oral health status at the first visit was set as the baseline, and this was compared to their status at the final visit.
     Results showed that the number of subjects who had CPI (Community Periodontal Index) code 0 increased, as the number of check-ups increased, and that the maximum CPI code value decreased by the final visit. This improvement was seen clearly in the subjects who had more than 7 visits. On the other hand, the number of sound teeth decreased, while the number of missing and filled teeth increased by the final examination. However, the number of decayed teeth and the number of subjects with decayed teeth decreased by the final visit. Based on these results, we concluded that regular oral health check-ups are useful for maintaining the oral health of workers.

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Abstract We did an in vitro study using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) to evaluate enamel remineralization caused by application of topical fluoride. Artificial incipient carious lesions were formed in bovine dental enamel by immersion for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours in a demineralizing solution. Each demineralization group was then divided into four subgroups based on the type of fluoride application: the controls (no application), fluoride dentifrice, APF-gel, and fluoride dentifrice with APF-gel. The remineralization recovery rate of the carious lesions was calculated on days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21 and 28 using data obtained with QLF. The recovery rate of the controls and the fluoride dentifrice group were approximately 90% for each demineralization group at 28 days. The recovery rate for the two APF treated groups was about 85% for the group demineralized for 24 hours. However, the subgroup treated with APF-gel that had been demineralized for 96-hours had only a 40% recovery rate. We concluded from this in vitro study that APF-gel treatment inhibited remineralization in highly demineralized carious lesions.

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We investigated the reliability and responsiveness of measurements of the center of force (COF) of occlusion obtained with the T-Scan II occlusal examination device. The subjects were twelve males with healthy, complete dentition. We measured the coordinates of the COF at the five levels for 25, 50, 75, 90, and 100% maximum voluntary contraction with and without silicone core fixation of sensor support to the maxillary dental arch. Reliability of the COF measurements was estimated by the single-factor repeated measures analysis of variance, the standard error of measurement, and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Responsiveness of the COF was evaluated by Guyatte's responsiveness index.
     The reliability for same-day measurements was greater than that for different-day measurements. In the same-day measurements, the reliability with the silicone core fixation was greater than that without silicone core. For different-day measurements, the reliability for all clenching levels was essentially the same. The responsiveness for the lateral direction of COF measurements with silicone core fixation was greater than that without the silicone core.
     We found good reliability and responsiveness for the COF measurements when the apparatus was fixed to the maxillary dental arch using a silicone core.

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Definitive diagnosis of amyloidosis is very difficult clinically, because this disease is rare and associated with various symptoms. We encountered and treated a patient with macroglossia who was found to have systemic and reactivity amyloidosis.
     A 72-year old male was referred to our clinic with the complaint of taste disorder, dysphagia, and painless swelling of the entire tongue. He had macroglossia, and teeth marks were observed on the sides of the tongue. However, there was no ulceration caused by biting the tongue. Although glositis was suspected from the clinical presentation, a tumorous lesion could not be ruled out. Examination of the blood sample revealed anemia. The Bence Jones protein-κ type monoclonal immunoglobulin was found during protein immuno-electrophoresis examination. Histopathologic findings from the tongue revealed that the lingua amyloid was AA protein.

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Taste disorders can be caused by various factors, including zinc deficiency, adverse drug reactions, colds, stress and xerostomia. The number of patients seeking medical assistance for such disorders is increasing. However, because taste disorders are often difficult to treat, some medical institutions do not provide adequate treatment. A clinic was opened in the Department of Otolaryngology at Osaka Dental University Hospital, on September 1,2004, to treat patients with taste disorders.
     We examined 10 patients who had taste disorders associated with xerostomia but no subjective symptoms for other otolaryngological diseases. Although four of them had been prescribed zinc by other physicians, only two actually had zinc deficiency. Zinc administration did not improve the symptoms in any of the patients. Based on the diagnostic criteria of our department, 9 of the patients had xerostomia, 4 of whom were diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome. When these 9 patients were instructed to gargle with cevimeline hydrochloride, taste sensation improved in 8 of them.
     We concluded that latent Sjögren's syndrome should be suspected in patients presenting with taste disorder with xerostomia, and that gargling with cevimeline hydrochloride appears beneficial in these individuals.

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